The Singapore Heart Foundation (SHF) has introduced a new initiative designed to empower young children with basic emergency response awareness through its “Be A Heart Hero” programme, a community education effort aimed at nurturing life-saving instincts from an early age.

The programme was officially launched during the Heart Safe Family Festival at Punggol Digital District, held at Nexus @ Punggol Coast Mall. The two-day family event brought together parents and children for interactive learning activities focused on recognising and responding to cardiac emergencies.

(From left to right) Prof Tan Huay Cheem, Chairman of the Singapore Heart Foundation; Dr Janil Puthucheary, Guest of Honour, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment and Adviser to Punggol GRC Grassroots Organisations; Ms Yeo Wan Ling, Guest of Honour and Adviser to Punggol GRC Grassroots Organisations; and Mr Geoffrey Ong, Chief Executive Officer of the Singapore Heart Foundation, launching the “Be A Heart Hero” programme.

Guests of Honour included Dr Janil Puthucheary, Senior Minister of State for the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment, and Ms Yeo Wan Ling, Adviser to Punggol GRC Grassroots Organisations.

Teaching Young Children How to Respond in Emergencies

The Be A Heart Hero programme is designed for children aged five to eight, introducing them to simple, age-appropriate actions they can take during a cardiac emergency.

Through storytelling, guided activities and practical demonstrations, children learn how to recognise when someone needs urgent help, whom to alert, and how to call emergency services. While children at this age are not expected to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), the programme emphasises their important role in activating help quickly — a critical step in improving survival outcomes.

This early awareness is particularly important as around 80 per cent of sudden cardiac arrests occur outside healthcare settings, meaning immediate bystander action can significantly increase the chances of survival.

Building Confidence Through Early Education

Since its pilot launch in March 2025, the programme has already reached more than 1,000 children across 18 preschools, primary schools and student care centres in Singapore.

According to Professor Tan Huay Cheem, Chairman of the Singapore Heart Foundation, nurturing emergency awareness in children can have a broader impact beyond the classroom. When young children learn how to recognise an emergency and call for help, they not only gain confidence but also bring these lessons home, encouraging greater preparedness within families.

The initiative also highlights the role of preschool educators and childcare operators in strengthening community readiness. Early programme partners include Star Learners, Little Footprints Preschool and Little Skool-House, which participated in pilot sessions and reported strong engagement from both children and parents.

Preschool teachers involved in the pilot noted that the interactive approach helped children remember key emergency steps and fostered a sense of responsibility from a young age.

Participants undergoing the infant and child CPR awareness workshop

Strengthening Community Preparedness

Community leaders at the launch emphasised the long-term value of introducing emergency preparedness early in life. Ms Yeo Wan Ling noted that helping children understand what to do in an emergency encourages a mindset of readiness and responsibility as they grow into active members of the community.

By equipping children with basic awareness and confidence, the programme aims to strengthen the first link in the chain of survival — recognising an emergency and activating help quickly before medical professionals arrive.

For families interested in learning more about the initiative or bringing the programme to schools, further details can be found on the Singapore Heart Foundation’s website.

Images: Singapore Heart Foundation